Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, received a standing ovation at Wimbledon on Sunday as she made a rare public appearance to watch the men's singles final. Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz clinched his second title, defeating Novak Djokovic in an electrifying match that saw many high-profile attendees.
The Princess, who has been out of the public eye for much of the year due to undergoing chemotherapy, was welcomed with overwhelming applause as she appeared in the Royal Box on Centre Court. As the patron of the All England Lawn Tennis Club since 2016, Kate's presence was particularly significant given her recent absence from the tournament.
Following the match, Kate took to the court to present the trophies, marking her first public appearance since attending the King's official birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, last month. She was accompanied by her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister, Pippa Matthews. Other notable figures in the Royal Box included Tom Cruise, Benedict Cumberbatch with his wife Sophie Hunter, Tom Hiddleston with Zawe Ashton, Courtney Cox, and former tennis champions Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, and Chris Evert.
Alcaraz, who triumphed in three sets with scores of 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, expressed his excitement post-match. "I will be watching with my team. I've done my job," he remarked, looking forward to the European Cup football final where Spain was set to compete against England.
Kate Middleton received a huge applause as she took her seat in the Royal Box for the Alcaraz & Djokovic Wimbledon final.
Great to see her looking so happy & healthy.
It wouldn’t be the same without her.
pic.twitter.com/QK46pHNF5z — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 14, 2024
The Princess of Wales, a known sports enthusiast and passionate tennis fan, greeted several British tennis players, including Emma Raducanu, before taking her seat. This appearance was only her second public outing this year following her cancer diagnosis and subsequent major abdominal surgery late last year. She spent nearly two weeks in the London Clinic hospital and has been undergoing treatment ever since.
In June, Kate delighted royal watchers by joining King Charles III and other family members for the Trooping the Colour ceremony, marking the monarch's official birthday. In a recent health update, she shared that she was making "good progress" in her recovery but admitted that she still faced "good days and bad days."
Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales, Prince William, was in Berlin for the UEFA Euro 2024 final between England and Spain. As the president of England's Football Association, Prince William has been a regular sight at England football games, including their quarter-final victory against Switzerland in Düsseldorf last Saturday.
Ahead of the final, Prince William posted a motivational message on social media, saying, "We are so proud of you all @england, just one last push to finish the job! Go out there and show the world what you're made of. We believe." King Charles also sent his best wishes to Gareth Southgate's team, humorously urging them to avoid last-minute drama to spare the nation's collective nerves.
The men's tennis final at Wimbledon not only highlighted Kate's resilience and dedication but also showcased the royal family's involvement in significant national events. As the tennis season continues and the football final unfolds, the presence and support of the royal family remain a pivotal morale booster for the nation.
